Advani downplays Nitish-Modi ad issue, reaches out to Nitish

Sunil Gatade & Rakesh Mohan Chaturvedi
Patna, Jun 13 (PTI) Soft-pedalling the controversy
over the Nitish-Modi advertisement, senior Bhartiya Janta
Party leader L K Advani Sunday said "small problems" do occur
in an alliance while Janta Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav
asserted that the "unpleasant" incident has been left behind.
"There can be differences in an alliance. I read in
the newspapers that due to an advertisement, there were
cracks. But by shaking hands, how can there be cracks. It can
only lead to friendship and small problems do occur," Advani
said addressing the party's Swabhiman rally in the eastern
Indian city.
Reaching out to Bihar state Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar, who had Saturday taken strong exception to the
newspaper ad showing him holding hands with Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP patriarch said he would have
been happy had Kumar been present at the rally.
Advani fondly recalled how in 1995 the JD(U) leader
had attended the BJP's national convention in Mumbai when he
invited then Samata Party ailing leader George Fernandes for
the meet.
He said Kumar has since been a part of the National
Democratic Alliance and has been a senior minister for six
years in the Vajpayee government.
"I would have been very happy if Nitish was present
here today (Sunday) at this grand rally and addressed it with
us," the former BJP president said.
No other BJP leader, including party chief Nitin
Gadkari or Modi took the name of Kumar.
Gadkari, however, appealed to the people to vote NDA
to power for the second time in the state to further speed up
development and spoke of adherence to 'coalition dharma'.
Modi took a dig at Kumar while thanking Bihar for
helping Gujarat after the 2001 earthquake and also praised the
contribution of the people of the state in development of his
state.
Kumar had Saturday criticised the Gujarat
Government's claim that it had provided aid liberally to Bihar
after the Kosi floods, prompting the chief minister to say
that it was an "uncivilised" comment and he was willing to
return the relief money.
Advani's attempt to extend the olive branch came on
the heels of a statement by the JD(U) chief downplaying the
stand-off between Kumar and Modi and emphasising that the
JD(U)-BJP have "old ties".
"Our alliance and relationship is quite old... an
unpleasant incident took place yesterday (Saturday) and it has
passed," Sharad Yadav said, but added that it was customary
from the head of the government before their photographs
appear in advertisement. MORE PTI RC/SPG
KAB


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